The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary. The Prime Minister described him as one of India’s most fearless voices of conscience and a tireless champion for democracy and social justice.

The Prime Minister said that Loknayak JP dedicated his life to empowering ordinary citizens and strengthening Constitutional values. His clarion call for Sampoorna Kranti ignited a societal movement envisioning a nation built on equality, ethics and good governance.

Recalling his enduring legacy, the Prime Minister noted that Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan inspired numerous mass movements, notably in Bihar and Gujarat, which led to a socio-political awakening across India. These movements, the Prime Minister observed, shook the then Congress Government at the Centre, which went on to impose the Emergency and trample upon the Constitution.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister shared a rare glimpse from the archives-pages from Loknayak JP’s book Prison Diary, written during the Emergency. The Prime Minister said that the book captures JP’s anguish and his unbroken faith in democracy during solitary confinement. Quoting Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, the Prime Minister highlighted his poignant words: “Every nail driven into the coffin of Indian democracy is like a nail driven into my heart.”

In a series of X posts, the Prime Minister said;

“On his birth anniversary, paying homage to Loknayak JP, one of India’s most fearless voices of conscience and a tireless champion for democracy and social justice.”

“Loknayak JP dedicated his life to empowering ordinary citizens and strengthening Constitutional values. His clarion call for Sampoorna Kranti ignited a societal movement, envisioning a nation built on equality, ethics and good governance. He inspired numerous mass movements, notably in Bihar and Gujarat, which led to a socio-political awakening across India. These movements shook the then Congress Government at the Centre, which went on to impose the Emergency and trample over our Constitution.”

“On Loknayak JP’s birth anniversary, a rare glimpse from the archives…

Here are pages from his book, Prison Diary, written during the Emergency.

During the Emergency, Loknayak JP spent several days in solitary confinement. His Prison Diary captures his anguish and unbroken faith in democracy. 

“Every nail driven into the coffin of Indian democracy is like a nail driven into my heart”, he wrote.”

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MJPS/ST/SKS